The Say It Loud Film Festival is a showcase of local poets, local musicians, and both local and international short films.

As storytellers, we believe that words have the power to transform life and the world we live in. We celebrate music, poetry and short films that speak the language of courage, compassion and authenticity. Our intention is simple: unite, engage and inspire artists and audience members all over the world through one common goal – to transform the narrative of pop culture.

This film festival projects the voice of the otherwise unheard. In the last three years, the Say It Loud Film Festival has received 550 film submissions, 371 of which were given a free submission.

The films came from over 55 countries around the world and each year we select the top ten films. Just to give you a taste of three films: one was an eye-opening experimental film about our responsibility to protect Mother Earth. Another story followed the plight of the Syrian refugees with a humanizing touch. And a third was a wonderful documentary about an effective meditation program for at-risk youth in Baltimore City. The approximate total runtime was 120 minutes, and last year’s top ten films hailed from France, Tanzania, Canada, the Canary Islands, Brooklyn, Miami, San Francisco, and of course, three from Baltimore.

Say It Loud will also be seen at the Jubilee Arts Center in West Baltimore on May 19, and during Artscape on the 52’ tall LED Baltimore digital billboard next to Penn Station.